FACEBOOK
TWITTER
Job Initiatives Focus on Vets, Family Members
by Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2011 – President Barack Obama yesterday called on Congress to move quickly on an initiative to offer tax credits to employers who hire unemployed veterans, including those with disabilities.
Speaking yesterday at the American Legion National Convention in Minneapolis, the president emphasized the nation’s responsibility to care for its veterans.
“To get this done, I’ve proposed a Returning Heroes Tax Credit for companies that hire unemployed veterans and a Wounded Warrior Tax Credit for companies that hire unemployed veterans with a disability,” Obama told the assembly. “When Congress returns from recess, this needs to be at the top of the agenda.”
Obama said he has directed the federal government to hire more veterans. During the past year and a half, that directive has resulted in more than 100,000 veteran hires.
And, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management announced today that it has published final regulations to give military spouses of deceased and 100-percent disabled veterans as much time as they need to apply for a federal job under the military spouse hiring authority.
“But in this tough economy, far too many of our veterans are still unemployed,” the president said yesterday. “That’s why I’ve proposed a comprehensive initiative to make sure we’re tapping the incredible talents of our veterans.”
The two-part initiative is designed to help the newest veterans find and get private-sector jobs, while providing tax credits for companies that hire unemployed veterans, including those with disabilities, the president explained.
Obama said he has directed the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs to create a “reverse boot camp” to help the newest veterans prepare for civilian jobs and translate their military skills into industry-accepted licenses and credentials.
He also called on every state to pass laws making it easier for veterans to get the credentials, and jobs for which they qualify.
The second part of the initiative calls on the private sector to do its part. “I’ve challenged companies across America to hire or train 100,000 unemployed veterans or their spouses,” Obama said.
This, he noted, builds on commitments many companies have made as part of the Joining Forces campaign being led by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden.
Saluting the 5 million Americans who have served in uniform since 9/11 as a “generation of innovators” who’ve “changed the way America fights and wins its wars,” President Barack Obama said yesterday that veterans also are the very people the nation needs to jump-start its economy.
“After a decade of war, it’s time to focus on nation building here at home,” the president said. “And our veterans, especially our ‘9/11-Generation’ veterans, have the skills and the dedication to help lead the way.”
“We need these veterans working and contributing and creating the new jobs and industries that will keep America competitive in the 21st century,” he said.
Obama cited funding for the post-9/11 GI Bill that’s now helping more than 500,000 veterans and family members “go to college, get their degrees and play their part in moving America forward.”
The program will expand this fall to include vocational training and apprenticeships “so veterans can develop the skills to succeed in today’s economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, OPM’s new rule, published today, gives specified military spouses more opportunity to get government jobs.
Previously, certain military spouses and widows or widowers could be appointed non-competitively to a federal job within a limited two-year timeframe after their spouse died or became totally disabled, OPM officials explained.
However, many spouses were not prepared to enter the workforce within that timeframe, they said. Some were still grieving or were enrolled in educational or training programs or caring for children or their disabled spouse.
The final regulations recognize that two years may not be enough time for these spouses to seek and obtain a federal job.
“Military spouses make countless sacrifices for our nation through their dedication and support on the home front while their loved ones are serving,” said OPM Director John Berry. “In recognition of their sacrifice, this rule will help military spouses find employment in the government.”
Short URL: http://www.veteranstoday.com/?p=136129
Posted by Veterans Today on Aug 31 2011, With 0 Reads, Filed under Economy, Jobs & Careers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
COMMENTS
To post, we ask that you login using Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, or Hotmail in the box below.Don't have a social network account? Register and Login direct with VT and post.
Before you post, read our Comment Policy - Feedback
The great majority of the American electorate is made up of individuals, mainly women, who are unable and/or unwilling to join the American military, especially the combat arms. Yet, this electoral majority unjustly determines which wars are to be fought, how they are to be fought, and how the returning veteran is to be treated. We saw the tragic consequences of the same with regard to the War in Vietnam and how the returning Vietnam Veterans were treated. This same electoral majority, after the War in Vietnam, not only discriminated against returning Vietnam Veterans in employment and otherwise but it, also, GRANTED ITSELF privilege in employment and education over returning Vietnam Veterans, even combat veterans and over that section of the citizenry, mainly males, who would serve in the U.S. Military in the future. Nothing has changed nor will it change as long as the electoral majority exists. The U.S. Government, at the behest of this electoral majority, will CONTINUE TO grant the same privilege in employment and education while continuing it’s discrimination in employment against veterans and those who make up that section of the population who might be called to serve in the U.S. military. No political rhetoric by Obama or any other politician will change this fact.
The ultimate result of the aforementioned, of course, will be the destruction of the USA by it’s enemies, both foreign and domestic as per the fact that the relative and absolute number of men willing and able to serve in the US Military, especially the combat arms, has declined significantly since the War in Vietnam.
AMERICA-JOBS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MILLIONS
I have sent this economic recovery act plan to every presidential candidate, to other congresspersons, and to the jobs czar in the current administration, and I am bewildered that the President would rather spend $300 billion on programs that will never get to the average American in any way that would raise their standard of living at more than a living wage. Can anyone help me get this word out?
ECONOMIC FREEDOM AND STABILITY ACT
Dear Sir/Madam:
Considering some of the recent wasteful expenditures by the United States such as $360 million lost to insurgents and criminals in Afghanistan, $300 million spent on two naval ships that were never used, which are now on their way to the scrap yards; and the United States NIH sending more than $90 million in taxpayer-funded grants to China, the time has come for thinking out of the box; for thinking critically about drafting a resolution for and taking action on pressing matters that if precautions are not initiated soon regarding our country’s current economic crisis, the continued wellbeing of every man, woman and child in America may result in irreparable economic despair.
The Social Security system, Medicare, Medicaid and many state social services programs are at dire risk of imploding; employment has stagnated and is growing more dire; military personnel may or may not be coming home due to the lack of employment and supports for veterans; and current high school and college students face a bleak future of unemployment and debt.
To relieve the pressure, prevent the collapse of a once vibrant and beneficial system of assistance to those in need; and to encourage support for those who have worked hard to support others, the time has come to initiate the following ECONOMIC FREEDOM AND STABILITY ACT.
The simplicity of the following program is exactly what America needs to take the pressure off burdening supports, and encourage re-investment in the American way of life.
THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM AND STABILITY ACT (EFSA)
This is an INVEST AMERICA (I AM) – SOLUTION
Please find below a simplistic compilation of suggestions for fixing America’s economy. Instead of giving any further bail-outs of billions of dollars to the banks, financial houses, or corporations that will squander the money on obscene and unearned bonuses without giving any thought to using those funds for the betterment of the poor and middle class, the following plans are presented instead:
PLAN A:
There are 50-60 million baby boomers who remain employed in the work force. We suggest that the United States government offer each of those employed baby boomers $1 million dollars each, tax free, as severance to retire from their employment within 30 days of receipt of the $1 million dollar severance with the following stipulations:
I. The new EFSA retiree MUST cease their current employment and not hire on as an employee anywhere in America ever again. 50-60 million job openings will occur – Younger potential employees and college graduates are then hired. Unemployment costs saved and employment opportunities will immediately be resolved. (The new retirees CAN start a business, and they can eventually hire new employees too).
II. The new EFSA retiree MUST buy a new AMERICAN made energy saving, green rated automobile. With 50-60 million new American made vehicles ordered the auto industry will once again become stable and solvent with jobs and needed resources enjoying economic growth- Employment, Environment and Auto Industry fixed.
III. The new EFSA retiree MUST either buy an American house/condo or pay off their existing mortgage thereby increasing jobs, and stabilizing the housing and mortgage issues – Employment and Housing Crisis fixed.
IV. The new EFSA retiree MUST purchase a life insurance policy to insure that those who depend on them for support will be taken care of in the event of untimely death or medical setback. –Dependents and Caregiver Coverage Fixed.
V. The new EFSA retiree MUST purchase and carry yearly medical, dental and vision coverage for themselves and their dependents, decreasing healthcare costs and burdens for the nation, and ensure continued wellbeing and quality of life. – Financial, Employment and Healthcare Coverage Fixed.
VI. The new EFSA retiree MUST forfeit all future Social Security, Medicare, and/or Medicaid benefits decreasing trillions of dollars of social welfare costs; eliminating the financial burdens on the coming generations, and encouraging self-determination. Budget Deficit fixed.
*** Certainly even some of the noted suggestions warrant further consideration, or the opportunity to be further elaborated on and implemented. Such an economic and stability program could be in effect by the end of 2011 without much financial investment considering the billions of taxpayer dollars being wasted each minute as you read this proposal.
AMERICAN VETERAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SACRAFICE ACT (AOS)
PLAN B:
THE AMERICAN VETERAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SACRIFICE ACT– AOS
1. 20-40 ACRES OF AMERICAN LAND AND AN AMERICAN MADE TRUCK (NEW OR USED) WILL BE PROVIDED ALL HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERANS.
2. VETERANS MUST GROW SOMETHING FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY ON THE LAND (FOOD, LIVESTOCK,
WILD GAME, PRODUCTS, ETC)
3. VETERANS CANNOT SELL, CONVEY, USE AS COLLATERAL OR TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF THE LAND
FOR 20 YEARS. THE TRUCK CAN BE SOLD OR OWNERSHIP CONVEYED AFTER FIVE YEARS.
4. THE LAND CAN BE INHERITED BY DEPENDENTS OF THE VETERAN BUT CANNOT BE SOLD, CONVEYED, USED AS COLLATERAL OR TRANSFERRED OUT OF THE FAMILY FOR 20 YEARS.
5. VETERANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR STEWARDSHIP OF THE LAND TO INCLUDE ALL WASTE CREATED ON THE LAND.
6. THE LAND CANNOT BE A BLIGHT ON THE COMMUNITY, OR THE LAND CAN BE RECOVERED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS FORFEITURE FOR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE LAND AS IT WAS INTENDED TO BE USED.
With the implementation of the SEVERANCE AND VETERAN ACTS, America’s students will see a brighter future to invest their efforts and talents while creating plentiful jobs without fear of increasing the unemployment ranks.
STUDENTS TO PROFESSIONALS ACT – (STP)
PLAN C:
THIS PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO CONNECT HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS TO EMPLOYERS WHO WILL ACT AS BENEFACTORS, MENTORS AND INVESTORS IN THE STUDENTS’ FUTURE PROFESSIONAL AMBITIONS BY FUNDING A STUDENT’S EDUCATION OR SKILL TRAINING ON A 1:1 RATIO:
ONE YEAR OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE SPONSORING COMPANY FOR ONE YEAR OF COLLEGE OR SKILL TRAINING.
1. A SPONSORED STUDENT WILL WORK SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS OF EACH SUMMER ATER THEIR SOPHOMORE YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL UNTIL THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, AS AN INTERN WITH THE EMPLOYER-SPONSOR WHO HAS CONTRACTED TO INVEST IN THE STUDENT’S COLLEGE OR TRADE SCHOOL TUITION.
2. ONCE THE STUDENT GRADUATES FROM THE COLLEGE OR TRADE SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE, THE STUDENT WILL WORK ONE YEAR FOR THE EMPLOYER-SPONSOR FOR EVERY YEAR THE EMPLOYER-SPONSOR FUNDED THAT STUDENT’S EDUCATION OR TRAINING.
3. SAID EMPLOYMENT WILL BE AT A COMPETITIVE RATE OF PAY, WAGE, SALARY AS DETERMINED BY THE MARKET AT THE TIME OF COMPLETION OF COLLEGE OR TRAINING.
4. CONTRACT AND NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING COLLEGE/TRAINING TUITION/EXPENSES AND EMPLOYER REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE DEFINED BY ARBITRATION AND STANDARDS DETERMINED BY THE DEPT OF LABOR.
*** THIS PROGRAM WILL CREATE AN AMERICAN TRANSITIONAL VIABLE WORK FORCE WITH PRACTICAL WORK EXPERIENCE FOR PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS-SPONSORS TO ACCESS AND MENTOR.
*** THIS PROGRAM WILL CREATE JOBS AND DIRECTLY CONNECT THE WORKFORCE WITH THE INDUSTRIES IN NEED OF HUMAN CAPITAL.
*** THIS PROGRAM WILL ENABLE STUDENTS TO TRANSITION TO EMPLOYMENT WITH A DIRECT INVESTMENT IN THEIR FUTURE, WHILE BOLSTERING THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE NATION.
With the implementation of these simple SEVERANCE, VETERAN & STUDENT ACTS, America’s economy, spirit, and future will exponentially expand beyond the nation’s current burdens and constraints, with prosperity and renewed re -INVEST in AMERICA (I AM) – SOLUTION.